UArctic Congress 2026: Day 1 

On Monday, several pre-meetings and workshops were held by collaborative project leaders, many of them linked to UArctic, such as the annual leadership meeting of UArctic Thematic Networks and Institutes. In the afternoon, Congress participants gathered at the national football stadium Tórsvøllur for the Welcome Home reception. Sponsored by Atlantic Airways, the reception offered a chance to meet and mingle ahead of the start of the conference in a unique and relaxed setting. 

Official opening session

The first day of the UArctic Congress 2026 started with the official opening session. The session began with a round of welcome speeches emphasizing the importance of research, dialogue and collaboration. Local decision-makers took the stage first: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Minister of Children, Education, Research and Culture Bárður á Lakjuni, and Mayor of Tórshavn Elsa Berg. Rector of the University of the Faroe Islands Martin T. Zachariasen gave a welcome address on behalf of the hosts, after which he was joined on stage by representatives of the event partners: Chair of the UArctic Assembly Liisa Holmberg, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials Kenneth Høegh, and Director of the Faroe Marine Research Institute Marita Rasmussen.  

The opening session featured three keynote speakers: Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans; Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue, Senior Emissary of Arctic Circle, and former Prime Minister of Iceland (2017–2024); and Sara Olsvig, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council. In his speech, Kadis highlighted the importance of oceans for both the Arctic and the globe and also spoke about the European Union’s oceans-related initiatives. Jakobsdóttir’s keynote focused on the increasingly complex world we live in, sharing some thoughts on, for example, the undermining of scientific knowledge and the importance of maintaining open dialogue. In her keynote, Olsvig spoke about Indigenous leadership and collaboration, highlighting Inuit perspectives, as well as the value and necessity of including and recognizing Indigenous Knowledge.  

Highlighting youth perspectives, the opening session also included a panel discussion titled “A Resilient North Begins with Youth”. The panelists, who represented the Youth Committee of the Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic Council Chairship, shared what resilience means to them, brought up some of the challenges facing their communities, and concluded with things that give them strength.  

The Faroese singer-songwriter Eivør also performed during the opening, captivating the audience with her unique sound, incorporating singing, throat singing, and drums.  

Thematic program

After the opening session, people dispersed across the venue for the first parallel sessions of the Congress. Over 60 sessions took place over the course of the day, arranged under 14 session tracks. Nearly 50 posters were displayed and presented under the thematic poster session on Indigenous Peoples and northern communities.  

Covering most of the Congress themes, the sessions of the first day offered an interesting mix of perspectives and discussions. Some examples of the sessions and topics of the day include:  

• Place-based Strategic Planning for Sustainable Tourism in the Arctic and the North Atlantic 
• Innovation and Entrepreneurs: The Role of Local Universities 
• The Digital Divide in the North: Consequences and Solutions 
• Shifting Poles: Asia's Role in Arctic Geopolitics and Governance 
• Warning on the AMOC: Challenges and Responses from the Arctic to the North Atlantic 
• Regional Action to meet Global Challenges: Arctic Emissions Control Areas 
• Occupational Safety and Health in the Arctic: Building climate resilience for workers and communities 
• Qaggig discussions on schools and schooling 
• Nutrition and Food Security in the Arctic 
• Building and Retaining a Generalist Medical Workforce for Remote Northern Communities 
• Safe and Secure Water for All in the Arctic 
• Indigenous Self-Determination in Research: Building Indigenous-led Institutions Grounded in Community 
• Social Inequalities in Health in the North Atlantic 

The first thematic plenary session of the Congress focused on sustainable economic development and international cooperation. The keynote was given by Jennifer Spence, Director of the Arctic Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School. Her keynote focused on how to navigate in the current geopolitical environment and what does Arctic cooperation look like in this changed environment and new context, as cooperation still needs to happen. The keynote was followed by a plenary panel discussion on the same theme, with panelists sharing their thoughts on maintaining dialogue amidst polarization, small communities receiving big attention, and the shifts in collaboration and relationships. 

Opening reception

The day ended with the official opening reception arranged outdoors on Tórsgøta, a street in the heart of the city, where participants could enjoy the local atmosphere. With a selection of local dishes and live music, the first day ended on a celebratory note. The opening reception was sponsored by the Municipality of Tórshavn. 

Opening session 

MCs: Outi Snellman, Secretary General, UArctic and Magni Mohr, Professor and Pro-Rector for Research and Enterprise, University of the Faroe Islands 

Welcome speeches: 

• Bárður á Steig Nielsen, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries 
• Bárður á Lakjuni, Minister of Children, Education, Research and Culture 
• Elsa Berg, Mayor of Tórshavn 
• Martin T. Zachariasen, Rector, University of the Faroe Islands 
• Liisa Holmberg, Chair of the UArctic Assembly 
• Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials 
• Marita Rasmussen, Director, Faroe Marine Research Institute 

Keynotes: 

• Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans  
• Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue, Senior Emissary of Arctic Circle, former Prime Minister of Iceland (2017-2024) 
• Sara Olsvig, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council 

Youth panel chair: Annika Helgadóttir Davidesen, PhD in psychology, Associate Professor 

Youth panel (representatives of Arctic Council Chairship Youth Committee):  

• Mekhala Kollslíð, representing the Faroe Islands 
• Per Henning Mathisen, representing the Saami Council 
• Taylor Jobin, representing Canada 

Thematic plenary, Sustainable Economic Development and International Cooperation

Chair: Heini í Skorini, Associate Professor, University of the Faroe Islands 

Keynote: Jennifer Spence, Director of the Arctic Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School 

Panelists: 

• Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, Former Member of the Danish Parliament for Greenland (Inuit Ataqatigiit) 
• Guðbjørg Ríkey Th. Hauksdóttir, Programme Manager at the Centre for Arctic Studies, University of Iceland 
• Jennifer Spence, Director of the Arctic Initiative at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School